Trunk bed



March 24, 1931. J. J. GIFFEL.

TRUNK BED Filed Feb. 10, 1930 Fig.3.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 24, 1931 Filed Feb. 10, 1930 J. J GIFFEL TRUNK BED 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Mar. 24, 1931 Em r- JOH J. enrrnn, or TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA, AssIGNoRfoF orindniim ronawnnncn m1. mEM-n.

0. TRUT'IIER, F TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA- TRUNK .LBED 7 Application filed- February 10, 1930, Serial No. 427,184.

This invention relates to the art of folding beds and particularly to a type o1 bed that may be carried about on an automobile to be readily available with a minimum amount of labor for use 1n camping trlps and the like; or overnight stops'along the road.

A primary object of the invention is to provide abed unit that may be collapsed to come within the confines of a trunk adapted l tobe secured on the rear of an automobile having dimensions that are not out of proportion with the automobile. 7

Another primary object is to providea collapsible structurewhich may be extended to provide a tent support over ,a bed, the

entire structure being adapted to be concealed within a trunkwhen not in use.

Another primary object of the invention is to provide a collapsible bed and tent'structure'thatimay be readily operated with the carrying of the various members to the usable 7 position and in collapsing the parts to the closed concealed positions within an enclosed trunk 1 p I Further objects reside in the unique formation of the trunk walls that permit the eX- tensionof the various members so as't'o provide a bed of ample width and length for twojindividuals. An object of the invention also resides in the provision for carrying a spare tire on the rear wall or" the trunk which is employed toenclose the various members; These and other objects will become apparent in the following description of one particular form or" the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whicli- V p .Fig. '1, is a rear elevation of an automobile to which my invention is applied; v Fig. 2, is a fragmentary side elevation of "the automobile with the bed structure complete ly collapsed and ready fortravel Y Fig.3, a rear view in perspectiveshowing thebed ready for use and enclosed by the tent housing; v r i Fig. 4, a fragmentary side elevation of the bed structure; V i Fig. ,5, a detail in side elevation;

minimum expenditure of energy both in'the Fig. 6 atop plan view of the bed structure in anextended usable position" with the tent cov-erlng removed Fig.7, vertical longitudinal section on the line 7-7 in Fig. 6, showing the various members folded and approaching their'clos'ed positions; and i Fig; 8, a transverse vertical section on the line"8'8 iniFig. 6;

' liilre characters of reference indicate like f xed thereto, a base member 13 united by its side and end ,to the respective side ll'and end 12and a side member 14 which is adaptparts throughout the several views-in the 1 ed to slidealong the outer side ofthe side- 11 as anextension thereofithe member 14 also carrying the end l5 opposing the other end l"2 and a bottom'se'ction 16. 1 The bottom sect1ons13and16 are cut to have opposing- .18 screw-threadedly through a nut l9 fixed the housin'g 17 toward the base on the ,end of section 16.1

' This Share '18 1155s collar 20 fixed thereon which rotatably abuts the end of thetubular 7 housing 21 whichis formedalong the corresponding edge of the base section 16 and extends rotatably'through this housing to proedges in parallel relation diagonally in'rei ject therefrom and carry thereon'in fixedcrelationship the outerjcollar 22 and the crank 23; Sincethe shar t 18 has thecollars 20 and V 22 thereon with the housing21therebetween and screw-threadedly enters the nut 19 fixed on the 'hous'ingi17, suitable'rotation of the crank '23 will carry the bottom section 16 with p its attached end 15 and back lt'either away from or towardythe base section '13 andthe v back member 11 with the back section l itelescopically slidinglalong the backfll and a gap being formed between the two base sectionsc13 and 16 as the section 16 moves outwardlyL Suitable braces 24 and 25 extend respectively across the "base sections A 16 to space and reenforce the housings 17 'Fig. 6, so that when'the'ba'se section 16 is in contact with the base section 13, the front wall section 27 is also drawn into contact along its diagonal. edge with the wall section 26 so that the gap therebetween is completely eliminated. A lip 28 is preferably carried on the section 26 to lap over the edge of the section 27 as is also a lip 29 on the section 18 carried to lap over the edge of the section 16 so as to from a concealed joint to prevent the entrance of dust and water therethrongh.

A tube 30 is fixed along the inside of and toward the bottom of the rear wall 11, Figs. 6, 7 8, and a rod 31 is fixed by its outer end to theen'd wall 15 to have its other end teleing in the support of the end section 15 and the attached base section 13 and wall section 14. V

Along the extreme upper edge of the front wall section 26 is also fixed a tubular member 32 into which telescopes a rod 33 fixed by its outer end to the other wall section 27 as a means of retaining the sections 26 and 27 in the same plane asthey may be swungabout their axis at the rear edges of the base sections 13 and 16. Angle bars 34 and 35 are fixed respectively to the end walls 12 and 15. Angle bars 36 and 37 are carried respectively at the outer ends of the rear wall sections 26 and 27 spaced inwardly therefromat a dis tance. Between the angle bars is positioned a flexible wire bed 38 which is attached to theangle bars by a plurality of springs 39.

A pair of posts 40 and 41 are pivotally secured to flanges 42 and 43projecting upwardly respectively from the front wall sections 27 and 26. Each of these posts 40 and 41 have feet 44 projecting angularly from the posts to serve as the pivoting members and to carry the posts outwardly beyond and above the tube 32 and 'ts telescoping rod 33 as a means of limiting the travel of the posts when swung outwardly from over the respective wall sections 27 and 26. The upper ends of both posts 40 and 41 have arms 45 and 46 extending from their top ends parallel to but in the gagement therewith by the brace 49-so as to preserve a ninety degree angle ther'ebetween. A rod 50 is pivotally engaged by one end to the outer end of the arm 45 and telescopes within the tube 47 by its other end. A short length of tubing 51 corresponding to the tube 48 is rigidly secured by its upper end to the rod 50 and has a brace extending diagonally from it to the tube 47 composed of the two levers 52 and53 pivoted one to the other so as to permit breaking of the brace when the rod 50' is carried within the tube 47.

The outer ends of the tube 48 and 51 receive slidingly therein the rods 54 and 55 each of which are perforated to be engaged selectively by pins 56 carried on the springs 57 The outer ends of the rods 54 and 55 are interconnected by the telescoping member consisting of the tube 58 and the rod 59 entering therein. Each of the tubes 48 and 51 carries an Wm 60 pivotally attached thereto and having forked outer ends adapted to bear against the. r spective posts 40 and 41 as means for holding the tubes 48 and 51 at selective positions of swinging outwardly from the posts. Y

the upper rear corners of the ends 12 and 15 are posts 61 and 62 pivotally'attached thereto by their lower ends. The upper ends er these posts 61 and 62 are interconnected by the telescoping member consisting of the tube 63 fixed bv its end to the post 61 and V the rod 64 fixed by one end to the post 62 and slidingly entering the tube 63. l The tube 63';

is maintained in a rigid position of ninety degrees from the post 61 by means of the fixed brace 65. A brace 66 is provided d-iag onally across from near the end of the tube 63 to the post 62. broken to permit the rod 64 to be carried farther within the tube 63; The spare tire 67 is carried by a suitable carrier 68 on the 7 1011 5 wall section26.

Assuming the trunk 10to be in a closed condition as indicated in 1 and 2, the lid 69 enclosing the top of the trunk is removed and the crank 23 is revolved to cause the shaft 18 to carry the base section 16 and all of the parts interconnected therewith out-- wardly away from the section 13. In the normally closed position the base sect-ion 16 and its connected parts are in the normal closed positions approximately within the space defined by the length of the rear wall1-- section ll, length of the end wall 12, and the height or both members.

By turning the crank 23 to cause the base section 16 to be extended or carried away from the base'section 13, the rear wall section 14 slides along the wall section 11, the rod 31 is extended further from the tube 30, and the rod 33 is also extended correspondin gly from the tube '32. Similarly all of the other various rods, namely rods 58, 59, and

64 are extended further from their respective tubular receiving members. The crank 23 is revolved until the bed 38 reaches its proper tension and the braces 52 and 56 approach straight lines.

This brace 66 may be Jess /te s The sections -26and127, inow spaced apart 50116 from the :other as in "Fig. a6, :are swung backwardly I and downwardly as a unit to substantially horizontal position, Fig. 4, and

adjustable legs'TOnnd 7'1 pivoted-thereto are swung down to vertical positions to have their meet contact-the ground. a The exact detail construction of 'tlicsewlegszis not shown 4 since there are various types of such" adjust-v flprovided with hooks at their rear free ends able legs now welliknow-n to those versedin does-not'enter into my invention. The posts 40 a11d41 are then swun'garound from their normally closed position over the bed 38 to approach: vertical'positionsias limited by a :the feet 44 :strikingfthe :tube 32 and rod 33.

Preferably braces .72 and '73 hingedly sup- .portedonthe respective ends '12 and 15 are t -en age insuitableeyes on the posts 4O and 41 as means for spacm-gand holding the posts fixed positions from the ends 12 and 15.

Bothbraces wand .73,a=re of the' rtogg'le type in two pieces Ito provide for. the engagement with the posts and :then forcing the posts outward-1y bringingthebraces .to straight line positions. {A te-ntcover1ng 74 is provided and formed'properly .to completely enclose the structure in the extended position .as just described; I This covering 74 is tormed'to have a pocket along oneedge to receive thereinthe tube 58 and its telescoping rod 159 which members may be extended parallel relation from the-tube 4'17 audits telescoping ro'dbO by pull ing'the rods ,54and $55 outwardly from the tubes 48 'and51 and securing them by the pins 56 carried on the springs57 as the tension onthe'covering mayrequire; I a ip i The arms aand46 :at sthe vupper ends of thecposts :40 and 41 areiprovided as spacing members to carry the covering 74. outwardly and rearwardlyfi from the-posts sowas to provide :an aislewa-y therebetween to permit the en:

trance of persons in dressing" and undressing. if

That part of the" covering carried Eon the frame work pivoted on the; outer end of the arms 45 and 46 may be swung outwardly as indicated 'bythe dash lines in Fig. 4, to give -additional spacewhen privacy is not desired and-that partof'the covering then serves as an iefi'ectlvelawningp The covering s sup- :ported in that position by the armsi Ibearin-g; zagainst the respective posts :as indicated in Fig. 5. The covering 7 4 isaprovided 'with flaps which may be brought aroundto enclosethe ends of the-space definedlback iof the posts 40 and41 as indicated inFig; 3. The tabular member 63 andritsex'tensible'rod 64 serves'as the ridge'pole tor the tent when in thewupr-ight position asshownin Figs-4 and 6. Each of the 31305313861 and 162 arehe'l'd Lin thevertical positions by thebracesi'Ztl-and 7.? which are also of the toggle "type permitting them .to she brokenjso that the posts 61 :and 62 be vrevolved back down to within the space between the ends 12 and 15.

The bed 38 when extended as :above' dc scribed formsja-bed of ample size-for two adults' f'The bed in this-position is intended .7 to be-usedby persons lying crossways of the car instead of longitudinal-1y, therewith.

Amattress (not shown) may of course be used on topof the wirebed and bed clothes together with such mattress may all be told ed up and ,carriedwithin the trunk 10 together' with the covering 74 in a. compact readily accessible manner.

While I have here'shown and described my invention in the onebest form as now known :to'me, it is obvionsthat many structural ichangesmay be made ther'efrom without deand rear walls and abasesectionya movable I I trunk end comprising an end wall, sections of forwardand rear walls, and a base section;

means for moving said movable end away fromthe fixed. end in parallel relationship thereto; each of saidssections of front {walls being hinged tothe-ir respective trunk ends;

andla ibed secured by, its ends to said trunk ends whereby movingthe trunk ends apart extends said bed. I a

' "2. Ina trunk, a relatively fixed trunk end,:: ,a 'movabletrunk end, members extensibly 'nniting-ssaidtwo ends, 1 eans for'eXte-nding said movable end from the fixed end, anda bed secured .by its ends to each ofsaid trunk ends whereby moving apart of said trunk- 1 5' ends eXtends thebed. i, i i c H c In atrunk,a relatively-fixedtrunk end, a movable" trunk end, members ,extensibly uniting said two ends, means for extending said movable end from the fixed end, and a? bed-secured byits ends to each oisai'd trunk extends the bed, and" a front 't runk wall in two sections hinged at its lower edge to the trunk ends; i

4.v In a trunk, a. relatively fixed trunk end,

a movable trunk end, members extensibly ends whereby moving apart ofsaid trunk ends v uniting said two ends, means for extending "said movable end tromtheffixed end, anda {bed-secured'b-y its-ends to eachof said trunk ends whereby moving apart of said trunk 7 ends extends-the bed, and a front trunk wall 'in two sections hinged at its lower edge to the trunkrends, the-ends 0 f saidb'ed being extended and attached to said front wall.

55. In a trunk, a relatively trunk end,

a, movable trunk :end;, m-embers extensibly uniting said two ends, means for extending said mov'able' end from the fiX-ed'iend, andfa bed secured by its on dsto ieac'h o f saidjtr-u nlc ends' whereby moving apart ofsaid trunk ends extends the bed, and a front trunk wall in two sections hinged at its lower edge to the trunk ends, the ends of said bed being ex-' tended and attached to said front wall, posts hinged to the upper part of the sections of said. front wall adapted to swing from over the bed to positions normal to the wall, and an extensible member between the upper ends of said posts.

6. In a trunk, a relatively fixed trunk end,

a movable trunk end, members extensibly uniting said two ends, means for extending said movable end from the fixed end, and a bed secured by its ends to each of said trunk ends whereby moving apart of said trunk ends extends the bed, and a front trunk wall in two sections hinged at its lower edge to the trunk ends, the ends of said bed being extended and attached to said front wall, posts hinged to the upper part of the sections of said front wall adapted to swing from over the bed to positions normal to the wall, and

an extensible member between the upper ends of sald posts, arms'extendin'g angularly from the upper ends of the posts and carrying said extensible member at a distance laterally from the posts. r

7. In a trunk, a relatively fixed trunk end. a movable trunk end, members extensibly uniting said two ends, means for extending said movable end from the fixed end, and a bed'secured by its ends to each ofsaid trunk ends whereby moving apart of'said trunk ends extends the bed, and a front trunk wall in two sections hinged at its lower edge to the trunk ends, the ends of said bed being extended and attached to said front wall, posts hinged to the upper part of the sections of said front wall adapted to swing from over the bed to positions normal to the wall, and an extensible member between the upper ends'of said posts, arms extending angularly from the upper ends of the posts and carryingsaidextensible memberat a distance vlaterally from the posts, and a frame extensible laterally and longitudinally fixed to said extensible member rotatable. therearound. 50

8. In a trunk, a relatively fixed trunk end. a movable trunk end, 'members extensibly uniting said two ends, means for extendmg said movable end, from the fixed end, and a bed secured by its ends to each ofsaid trunk ends whereby moving apart of said trunk ends extends the bed, and a fronttrunk wall in two sections hinged at its lower edge tothe trunk ends, and a longitudinally extensible ridge pole hingedly supported from the re spective trunk ends. V

9. In a trunk, a relatively fixed trunk end,

a movable trunk end, members extensibly uniting said two ends, means for extending said movable end from the fixed end, and a bed, secured by its ends to each of said trunk ends whereby moving a art of said trunk ends extends the bed, an a front trunk wall in two sections hinged at its lower edge to the trunk ends, the ends of said bed being extended and attached to said front wall, posts hinged to the upper part of the sections of said front wall adapted to swing from over the bed to positions normal to the wall, and

an extensible member between the upper ends of said posts, and a longitudinally extensible ridge" pole hingedly supported by the trunk ends.- 7

10. In a trunk, a relatively fixed trunk end, a movable trunk end, members extensibly uniting said two ends, means for extending said movable end from the fixed end, and a bed secured by its ends to each of said trunk ends whereby moving apart of said trunk ends extends the bed, and a front trunk wall in two sections hinged at its lower edge to the trunk ends, the ends of said bed being extended and attached to said front wall,

posts hinged to the upper part of the sections of said front walladapted to swing from over the bed to positions normal to the wall, and

of forward and rear walls,and a base section means for moving said movable end away 'from the fixed end in parallel relationship thereto; each of said sections of front walls being hinged to their'respective trunk ends; anda bed secured by its. ends to said trunk ends whereby moving the trunk ends apart extends said bed, said bed having its ends also secured to said two front wall sections; and an extensible guide member oining the upper ends of said front wall sections.

12. In a trunk, a relativelyfixed trunk end, a movable trunk end, members extensibly joining the two ends, a crank operated means for extending said movable end from the fixed end, and a bed secured by its ends to the respective trunkends adapted to be extended foruse upon moving apart of said two trunk ends. a

13. In a trunk, a relatively fixed trunk end,

a movable trunk end, members extensibly 1 joining the two ends, and a bed secured by its ends to the respective trunk ends adapted to be extended for use upon moving apart of said two trunk ends, and a front trunk wall hinged at its bottom to the fixed end having part of the bed ends fixed thereto adapted to moving apart of said two trunk ends, and tent covering support members telescopically supportedbetween said trunk members and telescoped by the movement of said trunk members. i 1 Y 15. In a trunk, a relatively fixed trunk end, a movable trunk end, members extensibiy joiningthe two ends; and'a bed secured by its ends to the respective trunk endsadapted to be extended for use upon moving apart of said two trunk ends, a screw shaft interposed between said two trunk ends, and means for revolving said shaft to move the movable end in relation to the fixed end.-

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature. JOHN vJ. GIFFEL. 

